Azo tells NPF to approach merger with NDPP with humility

Naga People’s Front(NPF) Legislature Party leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu on Saturday advised the NPF party to approach the proposed NDPP-NPF merger with “humility and diplomacy” and reminded that NPF has only two MLAs in the State Assembly.
Addressing the NPF Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting held here at NPF Central hall, Azo also cautioned against placing demands or conditions at the present stage.
He reminded that the party has only two MLAs and therefore, “We are beggars, and beggars cannot be choosers.” He said NPF party should proceed with the merger with wisdom and humility.
“If we start demanding, before the curry is ready, it will be burnt,” he warned.
Azo said NPF remained relevant as the guardian of the Naga political issue and that the issue provided the party its roots and recognition. He said even with reduced number of MLAs, “the party will live on.” Azo made a fervent plea for unification of NPF and NDPP terming it as “divine intervention.” He credited the proposal to behind-the-scene efforts of leaders including the consent of chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, whom he described as a “pure regionalist” with a “soft heart,” and for whom NPF remained his “original home.” Recalling a meeting with Rio on September 2, attended by 19 legislators, Azo said the chief minister had affirmed that “no political party has its relevancy on the Naga political issue except NPF.”
On NDPP’s recent press statement which denied that the party has cleared the desk for pursuing the merger, Azo pointed out that NDPP had not rejected the move but only stressed that the process required time and due procedure. In this regard Azo , urged NPF members to avoid provocative remarks and to exercise restraint. Calling for an end to past differences between NPF and NDPP, he said the need of the hour was unity with humility.
Azo argued that only one strong regional party could survive in small states like Nagaland, Manipur or Arunachal Pradesh. On the statement of deputy chief minister Y.Patton to his party workers that BJP will contest in all 60 seats, Azo said it meant “friendly contest” which was healthy politics.
Citing a bible verse, Azo reminded members that “the proud will be brought down, but the humble will be elected again and again.”
He said while NPF’s destiny was in God’s hands, the immediate task was to tread carefully in the merger process.